St. Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne (16-8-13)
By Aidan Geraghty @1895Aidan
PREVIEW
Title-chasing Pat’s welcome relegation-battling Shels across
the river on Friday night as they hope to pick up their third victory of the
season over their fierce rivals. Ironically, the last time Pats were chasing
the title, in 2002, they were beaten to the post by Shelbourne who won their 10th
championship that season. The Reds went on to win 3 more over the next 4 years
while Saints fans saw a rebuild under the tutelage of current Shels manager
Johnny McDonnell.
Thankfully
for the Southside’s team in red, the tables have turned and Shelbourne, who
spent five years in the second-tier, are in rebuilding mode while Pat’s are
chasing their first trophy since 1999. After not beating the Reds for 10 years,
the Saints finally ended the drought with a 1-0 win in June of last year and
they have had the upper-hand since; winning every game in which the two teams
have played each other. However, there is still a bitter taste in the mouths of
Saints fans because they were knocked out of the FAI Cup Semi-Final by the Reds
in 2011 to extend their cup-drought to 50 years (now 51 years).
The
league-leaders have been celebrating all week after a 4-0 demolition of their
other major rivals, Shamrock Rovers, last Friday night. Former Redsman Conan
Byrne scored all four goals against 9-man Rovers. Shelbourne fans won’t be in
such high spirits, though, as they were on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline at
home to Dundalk . There were some positives
though, as Shels controlled the second half and almost snatched a draw.
TEAM NEWS
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: John Russell (four yellow cards).
Shelbourne injuries: Paul Crowley (hip), Mark Leech (ankle),
Jack Memery, Robert Bayly.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Pat Flynn (four yellow cards).
BETTING
St Patrick’s Athletic: 2/7.
Draw: 7/2.
Shelbourne: 11/1.
PREDICTION
Pat’s 2-1 Shels
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